The Channel Islands -
"Little jewels dropped by France and picked up by England".
(Victor Hugo)

Guernsey is very picturesque and full of colour. Its mild climate is similar to that of central California, the temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. The beaches are some of the cleanest in Britain with beautiful clear blue water, long stretches of sand on one side and steep rocky cliffs on the other. It is the perfect place for long walks along the cliffs, for bird watching, nature study, boating, sailing & water sports, artists (Such as Renoir) and for writers and poets (Guernsey was home to Victor Hugo and his home "Hauteville House" holds many of his works including "Toilers of the Sea" and "Les Miserables").
The pace of life in Guernsey is slow yet it is close enough to England and just a puddle hop away from the rest of Europe. The old language of Guernsey is "Guernésiais" (Dgèrnésiais), also known as Patois, Guernsey French or Normandy French & is still in use today among older residents. Street names, houses and parishes are named in French also.
The photo above is of Shell Beach in Herm. Click the link at the bottom of this page to see a few more Guernsey photos.

Although always an island girl at heart, I have lived in Texas now for 20+ years. My interest in nature continued as I began to learn about the different animal and plant life here. I also volunteered a number of years at a local Nature Center as a docent.
On the home front I had to rethink my way of gardening as English plants just do not grow down here in Texas! I have been able, over several years, to landscape with Texas plants, English style, and is landscaped to attract birds and wildlife. This country has so many beautiful places and my birding allows me to see many places I would not otherwise see, places off the beaten path.

Sarnia Cherie

This is the Guernsey Anthem, the words of which couldn't mean more to me! The word "Sarnia" is the traditional latin word for "Guernsey" and the title translates as "Dear Guernsey". It was written in 1911. The music for it can be heard here.

Sarnia Cherie

Sarnia; dear Homeland, Gem of the sea.
Island of beauty, my heart longs for thee.
Thy voice calls me ever, in waking, or sleep,
Till my soul cries with anguish, my eyes ache to weep.
In fancy I see thee, again as of yore,
Thy verdure clad hills and thy wave beaten shore.
Thy rock sheltered bays, ah; of all thou art best,
I'm returning to greet thee, dear island of rest.

Chorus:
Sarnia Cherie. Gem of the sea.
Home of my childhood, my heart longs for thee.
Thy voice calls me ever, forget thee I'll never,
Island of beauty. Sarnia Cherie.

I left thee in anger, I knew not thy worth.
Journeyed afar, to the ends of the earth.
Was told of far countries, the heav'n of the bold,
Where the soil gave up diamonds, silver and gold.
The sun always shone, and "race" took no part,
But thy cry always reached me, its pain wrenched my heart.
So I'm coming home, thou of all art the best.
Returning to greet thee, dear island of rest.

Chorus

Guernsey Links...

Visit Guernsey
Guernsey Scenes
This is Guernsey
Herm Island